One by one we stole up to the skylight, and the King, raising himself, glanced in, my eyes following over his shoulders. For full five minutes we were there, hearing every word, seeing every soul, and then the King bent down softly, and, laying a hand on my shoulder, motioned me back. It was not until we reached the parapet that he said anything, and it was as if he were muttering a prayer to himself. When we got back I helped him to dress. He did not, however, resume his roquelaure or hat, but stood playing with the hilt of his sword, letting his eye run backward and forward over the vacant space in my room. At last he turned to me: 'Monsieur, you have not answered the question I put you a moment before.' 'Sire,' I answered boldly, 'is it my fault?' He began to pull at his moustache, keeping his eyes to the ground and saying to himself, 'Sully will not be here for a little; there is time.' As for me, I took my courage in both hands and waited. So a half-minute must have passed before he spoke again. 'Monsieur, if a gentleman has wronged another, there is only one course open. There is room enough here--take your sword and your place.' 'I--I----,' I stammered. 'Your Majesty, I do not understand.' 'I never heard that monsieur le chevalier was dense in these matters. Come, sir, time presses--your place.' 'May my hand wither if I do,' I burst out 'I will never stand so before the King.' 'Not before the King, monsieur, but before a man who considers himself a little wronged, too. What! is d'Auriac so high that he cannot stoop to cross a blade with plain Henri de Bourbon?' And then it was as if God Himself took the scales from my eyes, and I fell on my knees before my King. He raised me gently. 'Monsieur, I thank you. Had I for one moment led a soul to suspect that I believed in you from the first, this nest of traitors had never been found. St. Gris--even Sully was blinded. So far so good. It is much for a King to have gained a friend, and hark! if I am not mistaken, here is de Vitry.' CHAPTER XX AT THE SIGN OF 'THE TOISON D'OR' Turning, we beheld de Vitry at the open door, the small and narrow figure of Pantin at his elbow, and, close behind, the stern features of the Grand-Master, the anxiety on whose face cleared as he saw the King before him. He was about to speak, but Henry burst in rapidly: 'I know all, my lord. It is time to act, not talk. _Arnidieu!_ But I shall long remember this frolic!' 'It would seem that God has given us a great deliverance. Sire. All is ready. I came but to see that your Majesty was safe and unharmed, and to leave Du Praslin with a sufficient guard for your person whilst we took our prisoners.'